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M Hugues

Publications and source records attributed to M Hugues.

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The all-or-none role of innervation in expression of apamin receptor and of apamin-sensitive Ca2+-activated K+ channel in mammalian skeletal muscle.

The long-lasting after-hyperpolarization(s) (AHP) that follows the action potential in rat myotubes differentiated in culture is due to Ca2+-activated K+ channels. These channels have the property to be specifically blocked by the bee venom toxin apamin at low concentrations. Apamin has been used in this work to analyze, by electrophysiological and biochemical techniques, the role of innervation in expression of these important channels. The main results are as follows: (i) Long-lasting AHP that follows the action potential in rat myotubes in culture disappears when myotubes are cocultured with nerve cells from the spinal cord under the conditions of in vitro innervation. (ii) Extensor digitorum longus muscles from adult rats have action potentials that are not followed by AHP but AHP are systematically recorded after muscle denervation and they are blocked by apamin. (iii) Specific 125I-labeled apamin binding is undetectable in innervated muscle fibers but it becomes detectable 2-4 days after muscle denervation to be maximal 10 days after denervation. (iv) Apamin receptors detected with 125I-labeled apamin are present at fetal stages with biochemical characteristics identical to those found in myotubes in culture. The receptor number decreases as maturation proceeds and 125I-labeled apamin receptors completely disappear after the first week of postnatal life, in parallel with the disappearance of multi-innervation. All these results taken together strongly suggest an all-or-none effect of innervation on the expression of apamin-sensitive Ca2+-activated K+ channels.

Animals↗

Molecular properties of the apamin-binding component of the Ca2+-dependent K+ channel. Radiation-inactivation, affinity labelling and solubilization.

Radiation-inactivation was used to assess the functional size of the apamin-binding component of the Ca2+-dependent K+ channel. The amount of specific binding of 125I-apamin to receptors in synaptic membranes of rat cortex decayed exponentially with increasing doses of ionizing radiation and target size analysis was consistent with a relative molecular mass of 250 000 +/- 20 000 for the 125I-apamin receptor. Analysis on sodium dodecyl sulfate gels following covalent cross-linking of 125I-apamin to its receptor in a synaptosomal membrane preparation from rat cortex revealed a single labelled polypeptide chain of Mr = 33 000 +/- 2000 in the presence of protease inhibitors. Our results suggest that the Ca2+-dependent K+ channel from rat cortex is an oligomeric structure of Mr = 250 000 +/- 20 000 containing an apamin-binding subunit of Mr = 33 000 +/- 2000. The apamin-binding component of the Ca2+-dependent K+ channel from rat synaptosomes was solubilized using detergents such as sodium cholate or 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-1-propane sulfonate. Phospholipids did not increase the stability of the apamin-binding component during the solubilization. Binding of apamin to its solubilized receptor is reversible and saturable. The dissociation constant of the apamin-receptor complex is 40-150 pM, the rates constants of association and dissociation being 3.2 X 10(6) M-1s-1 and 1.4 X 10(-4)s-1 respectively. These binding characteristics are similar to those found for the membrane-bound apamin receptor.

Affinity Labels↗

The presence in pig brain of an endogenous equivalent of apamin, the bee venom peptide that specifically blocks Ca2+-dependent K+ channels.

An apamin-like factor has been isolated from pig brain after extraction of the tissue and purification on sulfopropyl-Sephadex C-25 and on reversed-phase high pressure liquid chromatography. The apamin-like factor has the following properties: (i) it prevents 125I-labeled apamin binding to its specific receptor site present on rat brain synaptosomes, (ii) it is active in the radioimmunoassay for apamin (i.e., it prevents 125I-labeled apamin precipitation by anti-apamin antibodies), (iii) it induces contraction of guinea pig intestinal smooth muscle previously relaxed with epinephrine, and (iv) it blocks Ca2+-dependent K+ channels responsible for the long-lasting afterpotential hyperpolarization following the action potential in rat skeletal muscle cells in culture. All these properties are those of apamin itself. The apamin-like factor is a peptide that, like apamin, is destroyed by trypsin and unaffected by chymotrypsin. These results suggest the presence in mammalian brain of a potent Ca2+-dependent K+-channel modulator.

Action Potentials↗

Apamin: a specific toxin to study a class of Ca2+-dependent K+ channels.

Apamin is a bee venom neurotoxin of 18 amino-acids containing two disulfide bridges. Current clamp and voltage clamp experiments have shown that externally applied apamin blocks specifically at low concentration (0.1 microM) the Ca2+-dependent slow K+ conductance which mediates the long-lasting after-hyperpolarization in neuroblastoma cells and rat muscle cells in culture. The apamin-sensitive Ca2+-dependent slow K+ conductance is voltage-dependent and tetraethylammonium (TEA) insensitive. It is distinct from the high conductance Ca2+-dependent K+ channel revealed by patch clamp experiments. Biochemical characterization of the apamin receptor in rat striated muscle, neuroblastoma cells, rat synaptosomes, smooth muscles and hepatocytes was carried out with the use of a radiolabelled monoiodo-apamin derivative (125I-apamin) of high specific radioactivity (2 000 Ci/mmol). The dissociation constant of the apamin-receptor complex is between 15 and 60 pM for all tissue preparations. The density of binding sites is very low; it varied between 1 and 40 fmol/mg of protein. Radiation inactivation analysis indicates a molecular weight for the apamin receptor of 250 000 daltons whereas affinity labelling with 125I-apamin results in covalent labelling of a single polypeptide chain with a molecular weight of about 30 000 daltons. We conclude that the apamin-sensitive Ca2+-dependent K+ channel is probably a large oligomeric structure containing one subunit of 30 000 daltons.

Animals↗

Specific binding and pharmacological interactions of apamin, the neurotoxin from bee venom, with guinea pig colon.

This paper describes the interaction of apamin, the bee venom neurotoxin, with its receptor in the guinea pig colon. The pharmacological activity of the toxin was assayed by measuring its contracting effect on guinea pig colon preparations that had been previously relaxed by neurotensin. The IC50 value of apamin in this in vitro bioassay is 7 nM. These pharmacological data are compared to the binding properties of apamin to smooth muscle membranes prepared from guinea pig colon. The highly radiolabeled monoiododerivative of apamin binds to its colon receptor with a dissociation constant Kd* = 36 pM. The maximal binding capacity of colonic membranes is 30dfmol/mg of protein. The dissociation constant of the unmodified toxin is 23 pM. The difference between the toxin concentrations that produce half-maximal effects in the binding and pharmacological studies arises from the different experimental conditions used for the two assays.

Animals↗

Preparation of a pure monoiodo derivative of the bee venom neurotoxin apamin and its binding properties to rat brain synaptosomes.

The preparation and purification of an active monoiodo derivative of apamin is described. Radiolabeled monoiodoapamin (2000 Ci/mmol) binds specifically to rat brain synaptosomes at 0 degrees C and pH 7.5 with a second order rate constant of association (ka = 2.6 x 10(7) M-1 s-1) and a first order rate constant of dissociation (kd = 3.8 x 10(-4) s-1). The maximal binding capacity is 12.5 fmol/mg of protein and the dissociation constant is 15-25 pM for the monoiodo derivative and 10 pM for the native toxin. The apamin receptor is destroyed by proteases suggesting that it is of a proteic nature. Neurotensin and its COOH-terminal partial sequences are the only molecules unrelated to apamin that are able to displace monoiodoapamin from its receptor at low concentrations. Half-displacement occurs at 170 nM neurotensin. This property is due to the presence in the COOH-terminal sequence of neurotensin of two contiguous arginine residues, a structure analogous to that of the apamin active site. The binding of monoiodoapamin to its receptor is sensitive to cations. Increasing K+ or Rb+ concentrations from 10 microM to 5 mM selectively enhances the binding by a factor of 1.8. Increasing the concentration of any cation from 1 to 100 mM completely inhibits iodoapamin binding. Both effects are due to a cation-induced modulation of the affinity of monoidoapamin for its receptor without any change of the maximal toxin binding capacity of synaptosomes. Guanidinium and molecules containing a guanidinium group are better inhibitors of iodoapamin binding than other inorganic cations or positively charged organic molecules.

Animals↗

The Ca2+-dependent slow K+ conductance in cultured rat muscle cells: characterization with apamin.

The interaction of apamin, a bee venom neurotoxin, with rat skeletal muscle cell membranes has been followed using both an electrophysiological and a biochemical approach. Voltage-clamp analyses have shown that apamin, at low concentrations, specifically blocks the Ca2+-dependent slow K+ conductance in rat myotubes and myosacs . A specific binding site for apamin in rat muscle cell membranes has been characterized with the use of a highly radiolabelled apamin derivative [( 125I]apamin). The dissociation constant for the apamin-receptor complex is 36-60 pM and the maximal binding capacity is 3.5 fmol/mg of protein. [125I]Apamin binding to rat muscle membranes is displaced by quinine and quinidine with K0.5 values of 110 microM and 200 microM, respectively.

Action Potentials↗

Apamin as a selective blocker of the calcium-dependent potassium channel in neuroblastoma cells: voltage-clamp and biochemical characterization of the toxin receptor.

This paper describes the interaction of apamin, a bee venom neurotoxin, with the mouse neuroblastoma cell membrane. Voltage-clamp analyses have shown that apamin at low concentrations specifically blocks the Ca2+-dependent K+ channel in differentiated neuroblastoma cells. Binding experiments with highly radiolabeled toxin indicate that the dissociation constant of the apamin-receptor complex in differentiated neuroblastoma cells is 15-22 pM and the maximal binding capacity is 12 fmol/mg of protein. The receptor is destroyed by proteases, suggesting that it is a protein. The binding capacity of neuroblastoma cells for radiolabeled apamin dramatically increases during the transition from the nondifferentiated to the differentiated state. The number of Ca2+-dependent K+ channels appears to be at most 1/5th the number of fast Na+ channels in differentiated neuroblastoma. The binding of radiolabeled apamin to its receptor is antagonized by monovalent and divalent cations. Na+ inhibition of the binding of 125I-labeled apamin is of the competitive type (Kd(Na+) = 44 mM). Guanidinium and guanidinated compounds such as amiloride or neurotensin prevent binding of 125I-labeled apamin, the best antagonist being neurotensin.

Animals↗

Purification and pharmacological properties of eight sea anemone toxins from Anemonia sulcata, Anthopleura xanthogrammica, Stoichactis giganteus, and Actinodendron plumosum.

Eight different polypeptide toxins from sea anemones of four different origins (Anemonia sulcata, Anthopleura xanthogrammica, Stoichactis giganteus, and Actinodendron plumosum) have been studied. Three of these toxins are new; the purification procedure for the five other ones has been improved. Sea anemone toxins were assayed (i) for their toxicity to crabs and mice, (ii) for their affinity for the specific sea anemone toxin receptor situated on the Na+ channels of rat brain synaptosomes, and (iii) for their capacity to increase, in synergy with veratridine, the rate of 22Na+ entry into neuroblastoma cells via the Na+ channel. Some of the toxins are more active on crustaceans, whereas others are more toxic to mammals. A very good correlation exists between the toxic activity to mice, the affinity of the toxin for the Na+ channel in rat brain synaptosomes, and the stimulating effect on 22 Na+ uptake by neuroblastoma cells. The observation has also been made that the most cationic toxins are also the most active on mammals and the least active on crustaceans. Toxicities (LD50) to mice of the most active sea anemone toxins and of the most active scorpion toxins are similar, and sea anemone toxins at high enough concentrations prevent binding of scorpion toxins to their receptor. However, scorpion toxins have affinities for the Na+ channel which are approximately 60 times higher than those found for the most active sea anemone toxins. Three sea anemone toxins appear to be more interesting than toxin II from A. sulcata (the "classical" sea anemone toxin) for studies of the Na+ channel structure and mechanism when the source of the channel is of a mammalian origin. Two of these three toxins can be radiolabeled with iodine while retaining their toxic activity; they appear to be useful tools for future biochemical studies of the Na+ channel.

Animals↗

Structure-function relationships of sea anemone toxin II from Anemonia sulcata.

Chemical modifications of sea anemone toxin II from Anemonia sulcata have been used to study the residues involved in its toxic action on crabs and mice and in its binding properties to the Na+ channel of rat brain synaptosomes. Guanidination of th epsilon-amino groups of lysines 35, 36, and 46 with O-methylisourea hydrogen sulfate did not change the net charge of the toxin molecule and had no effect upon its toxic and binding properties. Either acetylation or fluorescamine treatment of the toxin that destroyed the positive charges of the three epsilon-amino groups and of the alpha-amino function of Gly produced an almost complete loss of toxicity and a considerable decrease in the binding activity. Iodination of the toxin on His induced practically no loss of toxic or binding properties. Carbethoxylation of both histidines 32 and 37 with diethyl pyrocarbonate provoked an important decrease of both the toxicity and the binding activity. Modifications of the guanidine side chain of Arg with 1,2-cyclohexanedione fully destroyed both toxicity and binding of the toxin to the Na+ channel. Modification of the carboxylate functions of Asp, Asp, and of the COOH-terminal Gln with glycine ethyl ester in the presence of a soluble carbodiimide completely abolished the toxicity but left the affinity for the sea anemone toxin receptor unchanged. The antagonist character of this carboxylate-modified derivative was further confirmed by electrophysiological and Na+ flux experiments. The theoretical and practical significance of these results are discussed.

Acetic Anhydrides↗

Expression of apamin receptor in muscles of patients with myotonic muscular dystrophy.

Myotonic muscular dystrophy, or Steinert disease, is a dominantly inherited disease of muscle which occurs with a frequency of between 1 in 18,000 and 1 in 7,500 people (refs 1, 2). One of the prominent clinical manifestations is muscle stiffness and difficulty in relaxation of muscles after voluntary contractions. Electrophysiological signs of myotonia include increased excitability with a tendency to fire trains of repetitive action potentials in response to direct electrical and mechanical stimulation. Most experimental and clinical data suggest that myotonic muscular dystrophy arises from genetically induced alterations of the muscle membrane. We show here for the first time that muscle membranes of patients with myotonic muscular dystrophy contain the receptor for apamin, a bee venom toxin known to be a specific and high-affinity blocker of one class of Ca2+-activated K+ channels in mammalian muscle. The apamin receptor is completely absent in normal human muscle as well as in muscles of patients with spinal anterior horn disorders.

Action Potentials↗